What you need to know about Dubai’s ‘Aladdin City’

Aptly called ‘Aladdin City’, this huge, new tower complex is set to grace Dubai’s Creek area after permission was granted by authorities and funds acquired for construction to start next year, reports Business Insider.

Set over 4,000 acres, the opulent complex will comprise six towers linked together by a series of moving walkways. Three of the towers will be made to look like Aladdin’s genie lamp while the linking bridges will be shaped as dragons and snakes, according to Emirates 24/7, in a bid to reference the region’s mythical past.

“The symbolic content of the architectural form of the project buildings was inspired by the ancient legends from the 11th century, where vessels were sailed from Dubai Creek to the coast of East Africa, India and China. It may have been here where the tales of Sindbad and Aladdin came from,’ said Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality.

While Aladdin City will be built slightly outside the area which is currently pitching to be granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status, it will be located in the Creek neighbourhood, looking out over the wooden sailing boats and the traders in the ‘souqs’ (spice markets) – a view which will only add to the city’s Arabian Nights feel. Such is the paradox of Dubai that the towers will also have views over the modern downtown part of the Emirate too, including the Burj Khalifa, according to Gulf News.

Aladdin City will provide 110,000 sqm of space which is expected to be filled with offices, at least one hotel, 900 parking spaces and other amenties. The three genie lamp towers will be constructed at 34, 26 and 25 storeys, respectively.

“The development of such a project in this area will have a global cultural and historical impact and pride for generations to come,” Lootah said.